In a recent webinar hosted by the American College of Health Care Administrators for its annual Convocation & Expo, Beth Baerman, a workforce management expert with Attendance on Demand Inc. spoke a lot about work schedules and employee retention.

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She referenced a Health Affairs study that found the median turnover among nursing staff was 94% in 2017 and 2018 and that vacancies among all positions in long-term care rose from 19% in 2018 to 23.5% in 2020.

Heavy workloads and difficult work schedules are among the top reasons for employees leaving their jobs. Improving communication and engaging employees can go a long way to improving these issues. Suggestions include asking employees what work hours they prefer and making it easier to switch shifts and take requested time off. According to Baerman,

“The way you schedule can demonstrate the organizational support that you provide to your employees. It provides empowerment and self-direction and communicates with employees that they have a say.”

By empowering employees to make work schedules that work for them, you show that you care and that their opinions matter. It also makes them less likely to look elsewhere which benefits everyone.